MP reaches major support milestone

MP Lisa Smart’s office has surpassed 10,000 support cases for residents since the election in July last year.

Many of the cases that come through have been individual pieces of support, but some have inspired major campaigns such as the MP’s fair adoption pay campaign for the self-employed.

Lisa said: “There is such a breadth of work that comes through our office. Everything that we get is very important for the person who contacts us about it. 

“I am really proud of the team for the help that they have given to so many people. In five minutes they can go from helping to get trapped pigeons freed, to supporting people who are fighting to keep their family together. 

“I am really proud of the time and care they take listening to each person’s issue, and then finding the right way to help.”

One of the MP’s most prominent campaigns has been to change the law on adoption pay, which currently excludes self-employed people, making it massively more difficult for them to be able to adopt.

Lisa added: “Kirsty, who reached out to her office, was looking to adopt, and the system was denying her family the opportunity to do so, simply because she worked for herself.

“This is something which has affected hundreds if not thousands of people across the country, and is preventing children who would love to be part of a new family from finding it. And the only way to change it is to change the law. Fingers crossed, that is something that is on the way, and Kirsty’s case will help children across the country to find the right family.”